A guide to setting up and facilitating an action learning programme Action learning is a powerful method of learning; It is where a group of 6 or 7 people meeting regularly to discuss work-related issues support one another and take action. The process is non-directive, non-judgemental, supportive, and confidential. Set members present a current work issue they are experiencing, and the other members of the group ask questions. The crucial point here is that the other set members are asking … [Read more...] about A guide to setting up an Action Learning Programme
A time and a place for brainstorming techniques
A time and a place for the brainstorm Brainstorming often gets a bad press, with the popular belief being that it fosters groupthink and generally hinders the creative process. New research shines a new light on the value of brainstorming however, especially a bit later in the creative process when ideas have already been generated.The study, conducted by Nicholas Kohn and colleagues focused on the process of combining ideas that have already been generated. In this context the traditional … [Read more...] about A time and a place for brainstorming techniques
How has COVID-19 Impacted the Tech Industry?
What’s the biggest issue facing the UK economy?According to a leading tech recruitment firm, it’s a digital skills shortage.In a report entitled ‘The UK is heading towards a digital skills shortage disaster’, Cloud Assembly cites statistics suggesting that 80% of UK business leaders believe that digital skills are key to our recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.But despite the importance of digital skills to the UK economy, 69% of business leaders believe that their firm is … [Read more...] about How has COVID-19 Impacted the Tech Industry?
Simple Tips for Increasing Audience Engagement During a Live Coaching Session
It is much easier to capture the attention of an audience than to keep them immersed and engaged long enough to pass across your message.With the ever-increasing distractions looming on the horizon, from social media to games and other eye-grabbing content waiting to be consumed, it takes serious discipline to sit still and give ear to what someone has to say.Studies show that 39% of listeners at presentations admit to nodding off, and 91% to daydreaming at some point. It is … [Read more...] about Simple Tips for Increasing Audience Engagement During a Live Coaching Session
How Can Small Businesses Grow Customer Loyalty?
To small businesses, customer loyalty is the key to success. When competing against big, well-established brands, encouraging customers to return to Your business time and time again is vital.It’s more expensive and time-consuming trying to attract brand-new customers, so keeping the same customers coming back to do business with you should be a priority. You’ve already worked hard to attract those customers in the first place, so make sure you’re putting in enough effort to retain … [Read more...] about How Can Small Businesses Grow Customer Loyalty?
What is Workplace Anxiety and How to Overcome It
Living at the dawn of the second decade of the 21st century may be a pretty challenging experience. That’s because of the complexity that affects the modern lifestyle. It can also be dreadful. Workplace anxiety is a quite striking symptom of such an unpleasant experience and one that has major consequences on both individuals and organisations It could be a paradox. Here’s why: Though workplace anxiety is a term we all understand (when we hear about it), it is not considered a … [Read more...] about What is Workplace Anxiety and How to Overcome It
Six reasons why all business need a website
You can start a business easier today than ever, but you must have a corresponding website for your business. Every business big or small should have a website, but those that are smaller will have to take more time and effort to build their presence online. Whether you have just started your business or finally realized that you need a website for your company, there are many benefits that come with having a website.Having a professional website for your business can boost your success at a … [Read more...] about Six reasons why all business need a website
The Priming Power of Advanced Organisers or Before you train – priming people
Before you train - priming people by Joy Wilson - SpectrainRecently I received a book in the post from an old and learned friend. It came with a note which said “read this prior to our next meeting and we will discuss”! I studied the front and the back cover and felt confused – how did book relate to me? Have I read the book – No, I have found no reason to! Reasons for Learning Think about how we embrace opportunities to learn and develop, it’s a little like choosing a self help … [Read more...] about The Priming Power of Advanced Organisers or Before you train – priming people
Could Millennials’ New Approach to Sales Help Improve Your Organisation’s Results
The performance and effectiveness of sales teams should be a topic of serious concern for most sales organisations. After all, research published by CSO Insights in its Sales Performance Optimization Study shows that the percentage of salespeople achieving quota has declined year-on-year since 2012, while revenue plan attainment fell from 89.2 percent in 2012 to 82.7 percent in 2015, even in spite of greater adoption of sales enablement strategies.Some have blamed millennials for this … [Read more...] about Could Millennials’ New Approach to Sales Help Improve Your Organisation’s Results
6 Steps to Successfully Setting Up a Marketing Automation Campaign
We all know that writing and processing content for your content marketing strategy is thirsty work. The entire process is time-consuming, and you never know whether or not your hard work is going to pay off until you’ve published it unless you’re prepared.One of the best ways to save yourself some time so you can focus on promoting your content and writing content to the highest possible quality for the highest possible engagement rates is to automate some of your processes.If … [Read more...] about 6 Steps to Successfully Setting Up a Marketing Automation Campaign
5 Female Leaders Paving The Way For Others
A study by Harvard Business School found that businesses had a higher collective IQ score when their team included females in the top positions of the company.Female input at the top has also been found to enhance business equity by 53%. Further, women leaders can produce a 42% increase in sales revenue.These statistics and results from many other studies show that women’s unique skills and attributes significantly bolster a business's success.Former CEO of eBay, Meg Whitman, told … [Read more...] about 5 Female Leaders Paving The Way For Others
Transactional Analysis (TA) – is it relevant in todays world?
Is Transactional Analysis (TA) relevant today?In the first of a multi part series written by RapidBI team associate Vince Whittle, we look at Transactional Analysis and its application in management and people development. Introduction to TA Many people have heard of Transactional Analysis (TA) and it was popular a number of years ago in management development programmes but how relevant is a psychoanalytic tool developed in the ‘50s to today’s managers and consultants in industry and … [Read more...] about Transactional Analysis (TA) – is it relevant in todays world?
Using Facebook Canvas as a Marketing Tool for SMEs
In a previous RapidBI article we discussed the effectiveness of Twitter in terms of marketing for SMEs. However, it is far from being the only social media tool that you can use to reach your online audiences. Facebook Canvas was introduced a year ago to allow companies, including SMEs, to establish their marketing presence on the social media platform in a new way.What is Facebook Canvas? At first glance, a Facebook Canvas advertisement resembles a standard ad on the social media site. … [Read more...] about Using Facebook Canvas as a Marketing Tool for SMEs
How To Have An ‘Almost Stress Free’ Office Move
Moving in to new offices can be a very exciting time for a company. It most likely signals a new start, in bigger premises, as your business continues to grow and become more successful.However, you have to get there first and with moving house being rated as one of life’s most stressful events, an office move is no different. In fact, it is possibly more stressful. Aside from coordinating the move itself, the process can also have a detrimental effect on business if not approached … [Read more...] about How To Have An ‘Almost Stress Free’ Office Move
What the colour of your logo says about your brand
Colour is important when it comes to brand design. We react differently to certain colours – allowing them to influence our decisions and come to conclusions about something before we have even tried the product. Red Logos It’s a well known fact that red is a colour symbolising passion but did you also know that it can encourage you to eat? The colour itself doesn’t make you hungry but it evokes feelings of happiness, excitement and love – feelings many of us harbour towards our favourite … [Read more...] about What the colour of your logo says about your brand
Best Practices are dead. Adopting Promising Practices
Think about it just for a moment - what is a best practice?Many best practices come as universal and standardized practices maybe within a specific industry as for example PRINCE2, MSP, PMBOK and in other fields TQM, JIT, BPR, CSR, 360, or all the best practices connected to the -ing words - as for example downsizing, outsourcing, insourcing, offshoring, benchmarking, partnering. Now think about a best practice that you are considering to adopt, one that you are adopting and implementing or … [Read more...] about Best Practices are dead. Adopting Promising Practices
Does your training really make an ethical difference?
Training takes a large slice of of most companies compliance budgets, anything from a quarter to a half. So is it effective? [1]Measuring training effectiveness remains a weakness of many L&D programmes and compliance and ethical training seems no different. However, the escalating cost of compliance work is worrying senior managers. Many see the present situation as a black hole into which resources keep being relentless absorbed.To make more sense of training for compliance it is … [Read more...] about Does your training really make an ethical difference?
Five reasons your business is losing money
Running a business is about making money and ensuring everything is running as smoothly as possible. Sometimes, though, it's easy to get caught up with a myriad of other things and not notice that your business is haemorrhaging money. Here are some reasons your business might be losing money instead of making it.InefficiencyBusiness processes that take a lot of time or are done in a convoluted way could lose your business money. For example, if your document storage process involves … [Read more...] about Five reasons your business is losing money
5 innovative ways to launch your small business
Starting your own business is the ultimate roller coaster, but once you have your concept and your finances in line, it starts to get exciting and the next step is the big launch. Below are five ways in which you can effectively launch your new business:Hold an eventWhy not hold an event to launch your business or product? A successful launch can be very effective for small businesses in building awareness, but it does involve a lot of organizing. You’ll need to think about everything … [Read more...] about 5 innovative ways to launch your small business
Seven tips for improving your ecommerce strategy
Regardless of what you sell, there are a number of ways to improve your ecommerce strategy to help you sell more, enhance customer loyalty and get your brand name known. Here are some tips that could take your ecommerce business to the next level. Invest in mobile With more than a third of online purchases being made via a mobile device, it's so important you have a responsive website that makes it easy for mobile users to place an order. Once your website is up to scratch and works on a … [Read more...] about Seven tips for improving your ecommerce strategy
